Ex-Fire Chief, Atlanta Both Claim Victory After Ruling In Firing Case

Judge Leigh May says Mayor Kasim Reed’s termination of Kelvin Cochran’s employment with the city did not violate his rights to free speech or religious expression.

Dario Lopez-Mills / Associated Press

A federal district judge has ruled on ousted Atlanta fire chief Kelvin Cochran’s lawsuit against Mayor Kasim Reed and the city.

Judge Leigh May says Reed’s termination of Cochran did not violate his rights to free speech or religious expression. This wasn’t a case of Reed discriminating against Cochran because of his views, according to the judge.

However, she did find that the city’s policy of requiring employees to get permission before taking outside work – as in, writing a book – is unconstitutional.